Breaking News: Maria Shriver endorses Barack Obama

In a dramatic moment at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion, California First Lady Maria Shriver just strode out onto a stage that had already seen its share of celebrities -- Oprah Winfrey and Stevie Wonder among them -- and announced that she was joining the Kennedy half of the family backing Barack Obama, reports our colleague Mark Z. Barabak, who is there.

More details will be posted shortly and in tomorrow's print edition, but Shriver reportedly was waiting backstage wavering over whether she should make her support public, and then finally strode out on stage. Her husband, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, earlier this week announced his endorsement for Sen. John McCain.

The Kennedy family has split over the two top Democratic contenders, with Ted Kennedy joined by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg -- daughter of his brother John F. Kennedy -- and his son, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, all going with Obama. Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy, also went with the Illinois senator.

But Hillary Rodham Clinton picked up the support of three of Robert and Ethel's children -- Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Kerry Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

UPDATE: Shriver told the crowded gym that she had not intended to be at the rally, and had come straight over after going horse riding with her daughter. She joked about her appearance -- riding clothes, sans makeup and without having her hair done -- as she added her pitch for Obama.

"If Barack Obama was a state he'd be California," Shriver said, drawing roars from the crowd. "I mean think about it: diverse, open, smart, independent, oppose tradition, innovative, inspiring, dreamer, leader."

And she touched on the (see more of the blog post below the jump)...

For those of you who missed the C-SPAN coverage, it's here:

themes of optimism and collective action that Obama has sought to build his campaign around.

"He's not about himself. He's about the power of us and what we can do if we come together," Shriver said. "He is about empowering women, African Americans, Latinos, old people, young people. He's about empowering all of us."

Shriver, a former network television journalist, also acknowledged some uncertainty over taking such a public stand. "Sometimes, when you follow your own truth and your own voice, it's scary," she said. "But that's all you can do."

Shriver was on stage with Schlossberg, Winfrey, Michelle Obama and Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Shriver said she made the decision this morning. "I wasn't on the schedule," she said, "and I thought to myself when I woke up this morning, I thought, there's no other place I should be than right here."

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Michael's Mom]

Yeeeeeaaaaaarrrrrrrrgh! Or something like that.

[Miss H]

Great news! Excellent choice Maria.

Join the Movement, Obama for President
Obama '08

[Claudio Villanueva]

I'm glad to hear that Maria has joined in endorsing Obama. I heard her talk and she was inspiring, she understands the urgency of this election. She made it clear that California will be united in our support for Obama.

[Rachel]

Don't forget that Obama also picked up Rory Kennedy's endorsement!

Yes we can!!

[Jennifer Moreno]

Pleasant surprise

[crenza]

This was a wonderful "California" moment! Maria Shriver's speech was as inspiring as those who proceeded her at the podium!

[donna jackson]

Go Maria: you are your own person! That took guts!!!! I'm proud

[carol Wandrey]

Rory Kennedy (daughter of Ethel & Bobby) has also endorsed Obama. Her opinion appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle on February 2.

[Franklin]

WOW, Maria Shriver !!!! The First Lady of California. Who would thought about this on a superbowl weekend? Well, good news that will circulate all along California, Arizona and Many other super Tuesday States: I Think it's time for Obama to be photo-op and make ads like the Caroline Kennedy's one, featuring all these icons' endorsements.

The truth is he has proven and convinced (better than Hillary Clinton) that he can be the best leader for America, that why he picks the support.
"A President Like My Father..." GO OBAMA 08'

[Lauren Eisebaum]

Glad to see one more person get off the fence in favor of Obama. You need look no further than the Hillary campaign's push poll tactics here in California to see that while a vote for her might break new ground by putting her (and Bill) back in the White House, it won't bring much in terms of real change to this country. I love that Obama and his campaign don't talk down to voters (the underlying assumption of a push poll is that you won't catch on to the fact that you are being manipulated and participating in a fake survey ... i.e. that you are dumb). I'm hoping California independents won't fall for Clinton's dirty play.

[Toni]

I am extremely appalled at the manner in which Michelle Obama did not apologize to Stevie Wonder's fall on the stage. It just clearly show her political opportunism and further added by the indifference of Caroline Kennedy and Oprah during the incident. Michelle Obama preferred to smile at the camera than to guide Stevie Wonder as they went up the stairs.

I did not hear any concrete programs from Michelle Obama that her husband promises to carry, instead she want on ranting on narrative rhetoric. Maria Shriver's endorsement was a clear indication that the cogs and wheels of Obama's campaign machinery solely belongs to the Kennedy-Winfrey alliance.

[David Batterson]

Maria Shriver's decision was totally unexpected but so welcome as was Stevie Wonder's appearance. She and millions more know we've been waiting 40 years for the dream to come alive again. It's here, and we have to make it reality this time. GO OBAMA!

[Jim Bullis]

What an opportunity for bipartisan action?!! Unified leaders are critically needed to start a national effort to stop global warming, regain control of energy supplies, and give American industry a viable product in both home and world markets.

Leadership could be demonstrated by support for a combination plan for solving climate change and oil dependency problems, with an economic stimulus package that is shown at Link.

This plan is far less expensive than solar panel solutions, though it does not exclude benefits of such.

It is much more acceptable than ethanol production plans that take cropland out of food production. It is much less expensive as well. However, it could make cellulose based ethanol a reasonable fuel choice.

It requires government encouragement of innovative thinking on the part of the public.

It would apply the full power of market forces.

(I have an interest in Miastrada, as well as an interest in the future.)

Jim Bullis

[Jen]

I was moved to tears by these incredible women, role models all of them for women everywhere. This was a great moment for me, my daughters and all of America's daughters. Women going into the polls will be compelled to vote their conscience and their hope for our children's future. Resoundingly their vote will be for Barack Obama.

[Mike]

Go Maria. Well, like Oprah said today in her speech in response to those who asked "...how dare she (Oprah) endorse Barack Obama?" ... Oprah said
"I'm a free woman." SO IS MARIA, a free woman. We are all free-er with Barack Obama as President...YES. WE.ARE.

[Rose]

This rally was so great! Michelle is an inspiration to us all and if she supports Obama, than so do I! Maria, was wonderful, off the cuff and real. This is what America needs more of, truth, honesty and inspiration!

[RA Kruger]

To Michael's Mom: I think you spell it "yea!"

[tucanofulano]

No wonder California is in such a mess. How is the Gov. expected to be anything when he doesn't even run his own household.? Now each of them has endorsed a Democrat, but in different political parties.

[Billy]

Posters like Toni are such obvious Hiillarymaniacs they can't see the forest through tthe trees.

My wife and I were Clinton fans until their true colors showed in the last two weeks with lies, push polls, distortions - anythihg to win.

Who wins with that kind of crap? John McCain that's who.

Obama is the most electable and the truest public servant

[shirlin]

This story has me in tears. Ms Shriver's courage is truly amazing. And what she has to say about California and Senator Obama is all profoundly correct. Think of Bill Clinton attacking Ted Kennedy and identifying him with Pres. Bush on the No Child Left Behind bill, which Hillary herself had supported. In the face of such sleaze and smear, mean tactics, Ms. Shriver's brave and clear words can only move us citizens deeply.

[Jon S]

I'm endorsing Senator Hillary Clinton! We need a real leader!

[Sharon]

Toni -
How do you know what she said to him? I'm appalled that you would jump to the conclusion that she didn't. His assistant was standing right next to him, someone who is accustomed to assisting him. She didn't trip him, he fell up the step. Its obvious you are looking for a reason to gripe. If you looked at the last debate it was quite substantive. Bill never speaks of Hill's plans either. You don't have to vote for him but let it be over something that isn't so petty.

[Bernard Ukpu]

As much as we welcome all the endorsements of Obama, the endorsements will only matter if all of us who believe in the Obama vision get our butts up and vote on Tuesday and help move the greatest country on earth to a new height.

[Samson Lim]

VOTERS BE WARNED: DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING WHAT YOU READ OR HEAR ESPECIALLY THE SUPER TUESDAY IS ON THE HORIZON - THERE IS A LOT OF MEDIA MANIPULATION, NEGATIVE ADS WILL BE COMING OUT. VOTERS YOU ARE THE DECIDING FACTOR - DON'T LET ANYONE TAKE THAT AWAY FROM YOU. DON'T BELIEVE ON POLLSTERS, PUNDITS, MEDIA, UNION, POLITICIAN AND CELEBRITY ENDORSERS - REGARDLESS IF SHE IS OPRAH WINFREY! ITS IN YOUR HAND NOW FOR YOU TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS DECISION WHAT DIRECTION YOU WANT OUR COUNTRY TO LEAD. THIS IS THE CRITICAL MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF UNITED STATE OF AMERICA THAT WE SHOULD VOTE WISELY AND PRUDENTLY FOR WE CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER MISTAKE IN ELECTING A WRONG PRESIDENT "NOR" CANNOT AFFORD AN ON THE JOB TRAINING PRESIDENT TO RUN THE COUNTRY AT THE RATE OUR COUNTRY PROBLEMS: ECONOMY, WAR IN IRAQ, IMMIGRATION AND SO ON... ELECT THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON WHO YOU THINK WILL LEAD OUR COUNTRY THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON DAY ONE! PLEASE NOTE BEAUTIFUL SPEECHES AND RHETORIC - IT IS NOT ENOUGH! WE NEED A TESTED LEADER WHO IS SMART AND HAS EXPERIENCE.
God Bless America!

[maria]

YESSSSS GREAT NEWSS CALIFORNIA FOR OBAMA 08